The most popular Michigan online casino brand has again diversified its options in terms of funding players’ bankrolls in the Great Lakes State. New BetMGM gift cards are available statewide in several different retailers spanning hundreds of MI stores.
Although this provides more flexibility for BetMGM Casino and BetMGM Sportsbook users, it’s a marketing play for the gambling company, as well. Perhaps the greatest benefit comes in terms of using the cards as a responsible gambling tool, though.
Where to find the new BetMGM gift cards in Michigan
If you live or work on either peninsula, chances are that you can find these cards nearby. BetMGM contracted with TAPPP, a company that produces prepaid cards for a variety of brands.
Currently, the cards are available at more than 6,000 locations in eight states, including MI. Among the retailers that TAPPP will place the BetMGM cards in are:
- Dollar General
- Kum & Go
- Sheetz
- Speedway
The gift cards are available in two denominations right now: $25 and $50. When you deposit the funds from your card into your BetMGM account, you’ll also enjoy a $10 bonus.
If you’re looking for the closest retailer to you, BetMGM has a handy locator that allows you to enter your address. Naturally, that’s subject to availability at the retailer you choose.
Will these cards fly off the racks in MI? That depends on several factors, such as whether gamblers in MI favor the upsides of the cards over the ways in which other deposit methods could be ideal instead.
RELATED: How to use credit cards at online casinos
Pros, cons of using BetMGM gift cards for online gambling
There are a lot of upsides to this deposit method. That especially pertains to you if you prefer to gamble with cash or have previously used wire transfers to fund your account in the past.
Although you’ve always been able to deposit cash into your BetMGM account using the cage at the MGM Grand Casino in Detroit, these cards make the act of converting cash into funds in your BetMGM account available as an option for more Michiganders. No trip to Detroit is necessary anymore.
Additionally, your funds are instantly available, the second you deposit the gift card into your account online. Wire transfer deposits can take days. No more waiting for your deposit to clear.
Some banks also ban or limit the amounts or the number of deposits for gambling purposes you can make with your credit or debit card. With these BetMGM gift cards, that isn’t a concern.
At the same time, there are some things to note. First off, these are not prepaid “debit” cards. They are one-time use and you can’t reload them. Also, you can’t use them to withdraw cash from your BetMGM account.
To do that, you’d still have to visit the cage at the MGM Grand. As far as that $10 bonus goes, there’s a 1X playthrough requirement and it expires after 30 days.
Ultimately, which deposit method you choose is up to you. There’s more to this situation for BetMGM than merely giving players another option, though.
Little commercials for BetMGM in checkout lines
The placement of these branded gift cards near points of sale in retail stores is no accident. Like candy bars and mints, it’s a convenience and impulse play.
Even if most customers don’t snag one as they make their other purchases, the BetMGM logo within eyeshot is another vehicle to get the brand in front of potential customers.
BetMGM has a strong position in MI as far as online gaming goes already. It’s the revenue leader in terms of online casino play and holds a spot in the top three in the state in terms of sports betting.
Could placing thousands of small ads for itself into hundreds of MI retailers push it toward the top spot in Michigan sports betting? That remains to be seen. Among the biggest wins for Michiganders might be the use of these cards for budgeting, actually.
Know and set your limits for online gambling
One of the most important parts of responsible gambling is establishing and sticking to a budget. These cards make that process easy, even for gamblers used to using other deposit methods.
Say, for instance, you’ve allotted yourself $100 a month for online gaming. You could purchase two $50 gift cards, make the deposit in the app, and then enjoy your play. Plus, the $20 in bonus funds you’d get certainly don’t hurt.
If you’ve exhausted that $100 plus bonus funds within that month, you know you’re finished until your next monthly cycle starts. This way, you know you won’t wager more than you can afford to lose.
Naturally, this method only works if you restrict yourself to this deposit method. Responsible gambling is all about self-control regardless of the route you take, though. BetMGM gift cards are just another way to get there.